Highline Train Station hosts model display

Model trains filled Highline Train Station Friday, with hopes of generating interest for the hobby.

John McDowell, a model train enthusiast, said, “it’s a chance to run the trains on a large layout. Most people don’t have the ability and space to do this in their homes.”

McDowell, who grew up loving model trains, has passed the hobby down to his grandson Cade McDowell, 16.

"Ever since I was a kid, I can’t tell you how much I was just obsessed with trains,” said Cade McDowell, who plans on following in the family footsteps and eventually building a train set up of his own.

Cade McDowell is currently showing a model setup that his uncle gave him last year.

Ten-year-old Caleb Fritz has just started in the hobby but has already accumulated quite the collection according to his mother Ellen Fritz.

“I love trains, I like that you can change them around, I really like that ones that smoke,” said Caleb Fritz, 10. “ There’s something to always add to it, it gives him something to tinker with,” said Ellen Fritz. A new steam engine for his train collection is on the top of the list for Caleb Fritz.

Highline Train Station is currently in the second phase of a three-phase plan, "re-open, repair, and restore" according to Scott Sutton, President of the Greencastle Antrim Youth Foundation.

G.A.Y.F. took ownership of the train station last January and has been in the process of re-introducing it to the public.

“You would be surprised how many people who live in the area have never been here,” said Sutton. Currently there are seven groups that use the train station as a meeting place, including the local 4-H groups.

Highline Train Station is currently selling calendars as a fundraiser for $20 which can be mailed for an additional $6.

For more information about Highline Train Station email at highlinetrainstation@gmail.com or contact Scott Sutton at 717-729-4622